Blake made a lightning snatch at a tentacle with both hands.inter-dimensional journey to the den
of the Scientist Zehru.
Zehru of Xollar
By Hal K. Wells
When the rolling thunderof infra-bass first cameto their ears, RobertBlake and Helen Lawtonwere standing onthe platform of aNew York subwaystation waitingfor the arrivalof an uptown expressto bear them to their homes.
They made a strikingly attractivecouple as they stood there. NewYork had not had time as yet to removethe bronzetan of an outdoorlife from Blake'sruggedly good-lookingface. Histall athletic figurewas still conspicuous for thelithe strength that had made him anAll-Western tackle less than twoyears ago.
Standing beside Blake's husky figure,Helen Lawton looked like atiny, very perfect, blonde doll, withan exquisitely molded face framedin curly bobbed hair that was theclear golden-amber hue of orangehoney. There was a diamond sparklingon the ring finger of the girl'sslim left hand, placed there by Blake.
It was well after midnight, and theonly other passenger waiting on thestation was a burly chap leaningagainst one of the white pillars onthe other side of the platform. Aftera casual glance at the fellow, withhis derby hat shoved far back from alow forehead, his blatantly conspicuousclothing, and the suspiciousbulge under one arm-pit, Blake hadmentally set him down as a minorgangster, probably a strong-arm manfor some beer mob.
Blake and Helen had been standingthere but a few minutes whenthe strange sound first became audible.For a moment Blake thought itwas merely the rumbling roar of anexpress approaching far down thetunnel. Then he realized that nosubway train could possibly producea sound effect so oddly disturbingand strangely alien.
It was like no sound that Blakehad ever heard before. Vibrant withcolossal power, it suggested a sustainednote struck from a giant organ,a note so low in pitch that itseemed a full octave below the lowestbass note ever struck. Whateverit was, the thundering vibration ofinfra-bass was coming nearer withstartling swiftness.
It was impossible to locate thesource of the mighty pulsingnote. It seemed to be coming simultaneouslyfrom all directions, like agreat hollow sphere of invisiblesound waves closing in with the stationplatform as its central focalpoint.
Helen's face was white with dreadas she shrank closer into Blake's embrace.Blake noted that the gangsteracross the platform was standingtensely at bay with his back againstthe pillar and his right hand thrustunder his coat as he stared wildlyabout him in an effort to discover thecause of the disturbance.
The rolling thunder closed inupon them with a final rush thatbrought it so near that their verybodies seemed to vibrate in harmonywith that mighty note of shudderingbass. Then with startling abruptnessthe green net came.
Out from the walls and down fromthe roof spurted scores of quiveringribbons of blinding green flame.Swiftly the radiant tendrils rushedin upon the shrinking three fromevery side, while the infra-bassthundered in mighty crescendo.
Blake instinctively swept Helenclose within the shelter of his armsin an effort to protect her with hisown body against the searing menaceof those onrushing green flames.The next moment the fiery ribbonswere upon them, lashing about theirbodies, cro